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Sportico Transactions: Moves and Mergers Roundup for January 12

sportico staff
·6 min read

Welcome to Sportico’s transactions wire, a weekly rundown of personnel, partnerships and products across the sports business industry.

PERSONNEL

The Familie Hires VaynerSports Co-Founder as Chief Business Officer

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The Familie, a sports and music agency, has announced that Mike Neligan will be joining its executive team to lead revenue and business development as chief business officer. Neligan started his career as a baseball agent in 2005 before joining Excel Sports, where he worked in marketing solutions and business development. He went on to lead VaynerSports, a multisport talent and brand consulting agency, with Gary Vaynurchuck. Throughout his nearly 20-year career, Neligan has brokered more than $250M in deals on behalf of thousands of athletes and brands.

Women’s Sports Foundation Names New President and Six Trustees

The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) has welcomed Paralympian and world record holder in Track & Field, Scout Bassett, as its new president, and as well as six members of its Board of Trustees. The new trustees include: Andrea Brimmer, Ally Financial’s chief marketing and public relations officer; Arielle Chambers, mixed-media journalist and founder of Warner Bros. Discovery’s HighlightHer; Ashlyn Harris, two-time Women’s World Cup champion who currently serves as global creative advisor for Gotham FC; Katy Knox, former NCAA athlete and president of Bank of America Private Bank; Kathleen Kunkler, recently retired Morgan Stanley executive who served as senior vice president, Global Sports and Entertainment director for more than 34 years; and Nicole Jeter West, co-founder of Vanguard Maven Group. They join WSF in time for the Foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2024.

PARTNERSHIPS

Francis Tiafoe Named Evian’s Global Brand Ambassador

With the Australian Open about to start, global water brand Evian welcomes American tennis player Frances Tiafoe as its newest Global Brand Ambassador. Tiafoe joins Maria Sharapova, Emma Raducanu and Stan Wawrinka as tennis stars promoting the brand. Evian has also been a U.S. Open sponsor for more than 30 years. As part of the partnership, Tiafoe is championing the mindset of holistic well-being to achieve success while staying hydrated with the help of Evian.

Avis Named Official Car Rental Company of USA Fencing

USA Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing in the United States, announced a partnership with Avis Budget Group that will see Avis become The Official Car Rental Company of USA Fencing. As a part of the partnership, Avis will now have a commercial presence and marquee signage along the fencing strip at USA Fencing national events including the North American Cup, Super Junior/Cadet Circuit, FIE Grand Prix and the USA Fencing National Championships. Additionally, USA Fencing national teams and staff members will now use Avis for ground travel worldwide.

Hurricanes Welcome Nucor as Jersey Sponsor

Don Waddell, president and general manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, announced that Nucor, a North American steel and steel products company, will become the Hurricanes’ official jersey patch sponsor. The Nucor logo will appear on the upper chest of all Hurricanes jerseys through the 2026-27 NHL season. Nucor patches are currently available in the Carolina Hurricanes’ official team store, The Eye, for any fan that would like to add the patch to an existing jersey.

Churchill Downs Announces Partnership With Sports Illustrated

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced a multiyear partnership between Churchill Downs Racetrack and Sports Illustrated for exclusive naming rights of a new luxury dining experience, Club SI, ahead of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4. Originally planned as the 1895 Club, Club SI is scheduled to debut on Opening Night of Derby Week. Club SI will debut as part of the $200 million renovated Paddock Project at Churchill Downs. The interior design of Club SI will showcase Sports Illustrated magazine covers, editorial featuring past Kentucky Derby races and a sneak peek into Sports Illustrated’s new SI Resorts vertical. Celebrity ambassadors will act as hosts for Club SI during the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks.

Telemundo Presents Exclusive Coverage of Chivas Home Matches

Telemundo, the home of Chivas de Guadalajara in the U.S., will present coverage of all Chivas home matches across Telemundo, Universo and Peacock throughout the Liga MX Clausura 2024 tournament with a one-hour pregame show and 30-minute postgame show for every match. Chivas kicks off the tournament against Santos on Jan. 13 with a pregame show at 7 p.m. ET on Universo and Peacock followed by the match at 8 p.m. ET airing simultaneously across Telemundo, Universo and Peacock with English-language coverage available on Peacock and SiriusXM Channel 380.

Ripken Baseball Expands All-Ripken Games, Adds Under Armour as Partner

Ripken Baseball has expanded its All-Ripken Games in 2024 by increasing the number of facilities and tournaments for top individual youth baseball and softball players to compete at Ripken Baseball’s facilities nationwide. It also confirmed Under Armour (NYSE: UA, UAA) will be All-Ripken Games’ presenting sponsor in 2024 and will provide custom All-Ripken uniforms and performance wear to participating athletes. All-Ripken Games, which debuted in 2023 at four facilities, will host seven baseball tournaments and two softball tournaments at six facilities in 2024 starting this April. The season will culminate with the All-Ripken Futures Games in December, featuring the top players of the season.

PRODUCTS

Connecticut United FC to Be Newest MLS Next Pro Expansion Team

Connecticut Sports Group (CTSG) has announced Connecticut United Football Club (CT United FC) as the newest MLS Next Pro expansion team. Newly founded CT United FC is targeting a 2025 launch in MLS Next Pro. CT United FC will play in a new soccer-specific waterfront stadium in Bridgeport. In November, the City of Bridgeport granted Connecticut Sports Group preliminary zoning approval to develop a waterfront soccer stadium and mixed-use destination. Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS Next Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway to MLS first teams.

Novig Debuts Commission-Free Sports Betting App in Colorado

Novig has launched its commission-free sports betting app in Colorado, marking the company’s debut in the state. Novig’s platform eliminates traditional fees. Instead of charging everyday bettors, Novig generates revenue by charging market makers and professional bettors. Novig currently offers moneyline, spread and total markets in NFL, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB and MLB, but in the coming months, it will offer tennis and soccer markets, as well as player props, futures, parlays, SGPs, and various peer-to-peer competitions.

PURCHASES

Apex Brings on John Stones, Alex Albon as TGL San Francisco Team Investors

Apex, an Investment Manager focused on sports, media and entertainment, announced its strategic acquisition of a stake in the San Francisco Golf Team competing in TGL, the new tech-driven golf league developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. As part of the investment, Apex brings a roster of athlete investors including F1 driver Alex Albon, Manchester City defender John Stones and Olympic surfers Leonardo Fioravanti and Kanoa Igarashi. The athletes will take an active role in expanding the team’s fan base and driving commercial value via their own audiences. They will also participate in TGL events, including pro-am tournaments and charity events at the TGL venue. Albon, Stones, Fioravanti and Igarashi will team up with NBA stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala, who were previously announced as part of the first investment group, Avenue Sports Fund, led by Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry.

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